Renting Privately

Finding a home that you can afford to rent doesn't have to mean finding social housing. There are more properties available in the private rented sector.

A private landlord is someone who owns one or more properties that they rent out to tenants.

There are many advantages to renting privately:

There are no waiting lists, so you'll be able to move in quickly
You can choose exactly where you want to live
There are many different types of property available, from one-bedroom studio flats to houses big enough for large families
The properties will usually be well decorated and carpeted; this is often not the case with social housing.
The properties often come with a fridge, freezer and washing machine
If you're on a low income, you may be entitled to Housing Benefit which will cover some or all of your rent

The GOV.UK website has a useful guide for people looking to rent privately.